Valve button with aspirator passageway

ABSTRACT

An aerosol valve button featuring an aspirator passageway having one end in communication with the atmosphere and its other end adjacent the button&#39;&#39;s discharge orifice. Product-flow through the discharge orifice causes an air-stream to flow in the aspirator passageway. This auxiliary air-stream reduces eddy currents and other turbulence at the discharge orifice; thus providing more efficient breakup and distribution of the sprayed aerosol product with less propellant.

United States Patent Ewald et al.

[54] VALVE BUTTON WITH ASPIRATOR PASSAGEWAY [72] Inventors: Ronald F.Ewald, Rolling Meadows; Norman E. Platt, Fox River Grove, both of I11.

[73] Assignee: Seaquist Valve Company, Division of Pittway Corporation,Cary, Ill.

[22] Filed: Oct. 27,1969

[2]] Appl.No.: 869,521

[52] US. CL... ..239/337, 239/4255, 239/4285 [51] Int. Cl ..B05b 7/32[58] Field otSearch ..239/337, 579,428.5,4195,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,597,033 8/1926 Gibbons..239/4l6 2,259,215 10/ 1941 Scheurer ..239/416 2,466,100 4/1949l-larrah ..239/419.5 X

[4 1 Mar. 14, 1972 3,018,971 1/l962 Cheney ..239/335 X 3,061,203 10/1962 Kitabayashi... ..239/424 X 3,498,506 3/ 1970 Charrier ..222/402. 12

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,420,750 11/1965 France ..239/337450,310 4/ 1968 Switzerland ..239/ 337 Primary Examiner--Allen N.Knowles Assistant Examiner-John J. Love Att0rneyStein and Orman [57]ABSTRACT An aerosol valve button featuring an aspirator passagewayhaving one end in communication with the atmosphere and its other endadjacent the buttons discharge orifice. Productflow through thedischarge orifice causes an air-stream to flow in the aspiratorpassageway. This auxiliary-air-strearn reduces eddy currents and otherturbulence at the discharge orifice; thus providing more efficientbreakup and distribution of the sprayed aerosol product with lesspropellant.

6 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures PAIENTEUMAR 14 m2 SHEET 1 UF 2 ATTOR'NEY.

PAIENIEBMARM 1972 3,648,932

sum 2 (1F 2 INVENTORS NA F. EWA RM E. PLA

BYW02 ATTORNEY.

VALVE BUTTON WITH ASPIRATOR PASSAGEWAY This invention relates to anaerosol valve button of the type having a discharge orifice from whichan aerosol product is sprayed when the button is depressed.

As is well known, the contents of an aerosol container comprises theaerosol product and propellant. The function of the propellant istwofold. When the valve button on the container is depressed, thepropellant forces the product through a dip tube, immersed in theproduct, and then through the buttons discharge orifice whereupon theproduct is sprayed. In addition, the portion of the propellant which isdissolved in the liquid assists firstly in breaking up the productparticles, then in carrying them to the target on a stream of theexpanded propellant vapor.

Unfortunately, the breakup and distribution of the product by thepropellant is not as efficient as it could be. This is because in knownvalve buttons, the flow of the aerosol contents encounters eddy currentsand other turbulence at the button's discharge orifice as well as thestatic air, all of which retard this flow. If these factors were notpresent, more advantageous breakup of the product would occur along withaccompanying better distribution. Moreover, less propellant would berequired enabling the container to be made smaller and correspondinglymore economical, thereby reducing the containers cost to the consumer.The reduction of needed propellant would have another importantadvantage. With some products such as personal deodorant, it isdesirable to spray only a minimum amount of propellant thereby to reducethe degree of coldness of the spray. A button which would spray agreater product/propellant ratio would be particularly advantageous forthese products.

Another disadvantage of present valve buttons is that when they are usedwith a product which may accidentally be ignited when sprayed, such aspropane, a dangerous safety hazard may exist because the flameoccasionally snaps back to the button when the product flow is cut offdue to the static blend of air and vapors outside the spray case. Abutton that would eliminate this hazardous flash-back" is needed.

Still another disadvantage of present buttons is that there is noprovision to easily change the shape of the spray pattern. Spraypatterns differ for the various aerosol products. For example, a spraypattern that would be efficient for paint would not necessarily beefficient for a hair spray. In known valve buttons, extensivemodifications must usually be made to provide these various patterns.This makes the buttons more expensive to produce, increasing the cost tothe consumer.

Although attempts have been made to overcome these disadvantages, todate they have been unsuccessful.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an aerosolvalve button wherein eddy currents and other turbulence normallyencountered at a button s discharge orifice are substantiallyeliminated.

Another object of this invention is to provide an aerosol valve buttonwith means to eliminate static air at the buttonss discharge orifice forimproved product flow.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an aerosol buttonthat provides greater product breakup with less propellant.

A further object of this invention is to provide an aerosol valve buttonthat projects the product further with less propellant.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an aerosol valvebutton that enables an associated aerosol container to be reduced insize or contain a greater product to propellant ratio.

Another object is to provide an aerosol valve button with means toeasily vary the discharge spray pattern.

Another object is to provide an aerosol valve button with means toeasily regulate or alter the noise produced by the discharge of anaerosol product.

Another object is to provide an aerosol valve button that eliminates theflame flash-back" normally associated with cutting ofi' a product suchas propane.

Another object is to provide a means. for varying the discharge spraypattern of the button by moving a discharge end of an aspiratorpassageway relative to the discharge orifice of the button.

Another object is to provide means for regulating the air flow throughan aspirator passageway in the button.

Another object is to provide a means for quickly sealing the dischargeorifice 'of the button, thereby isolating the aerosol contents from theatmosphere.

Another object is to provide an aerosol valve button particularlyadapted for spraying such products as starch that require a largeproduct to propellant ratio.

Another object is to provide an aerosol valve button which is practicaland economically feasible to manufacture.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in partappear hereinafter.

In accordance with these objects, the invention comprises an aerosolvalve button featuring an aspirator passageway. The passageway, whichmay be designed in various forms, is disposed with one end communicatingwith the atmosphere and the other lying adjacent the button's dischargeorifice. It is disposed such thatwhen the valve button is depressed, anaerosol product flowing out of the buttons discharge orifice causes anairstream, by a Bernoulli effect, to flow from the aspiratorypassageway. This airstream, which affects the product-flow, engendersmany important advantages. It reduces the product-flow restrictions ofstatic air, turbulence, and eddy currents at the buttons dischargeorifice; thereby allowing faster movement of the product-flow withaccompanying better product distribution and breakup. Because of thisimproved product-flow, less propellant is needed enabling the containerwith which .the button is associated to be made smaller or to have agreater product to propellant ratio. Another advantage is that theairflow through the aspirator passageway can be designed to give acharacteristic sound signal, such as a whistle, when the product issprayed. This is not only important in novelty items, but also providesa desirable signal that enables the consumer to know when the product isbeing sprayed even though it is not seen-for example, when the productis starch, it is not visible when sprayed. With a signal such as awhistle, the user knows starch is being sprayed. Still another importantadvantage is that the spray pattern of the valve may easily be regulatedby varying the configuration of the aspirator passageway either bypermanent deformation or by a special insert inserted at thepassageway's intake. Not to be overlooked is the air-stream's advantageof eliminating the hazardous flame flash-back of an ignited aerosolproduct such as propane.

In a modification of the button, means are provided to vary the spraypattern of the button by moving the discharge end of the aspiratorpassageway relative to the discharge orifice. In another modification,the spray pattern is varied by manually regulating, through an adjustingmeans, the quantity of air flowing through the aspirator passageway.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction,combination of elements, and arrangement of parts which will beexemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope ofthe invention will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention,reference should be had to the following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view illustrating the valve button of thisinvention as applied to an aerosol container;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of one embodiment of the valve button;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the button taken along line 3-3 ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the button taken alonglines 44 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of a modification of the valve buttonshown in FIG. 2, the stem and button being integral;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional elevation view of the modified button takenalong lines 66 of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the modified button takenalong the lines 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional elevational view of a second modification ofthe valve button of FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the second modificationtaken along lines 9--9 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view of a third modification of thebutton in which means are provided to move the forward end of theaspirator passageway relative to the discharge orifice.

FIG. 11 is an end view of the dial screw along the lines 11- ll of FIG.10.

FIG. 12 is a side cross-sectional view of a fourth modification of thebutton in which means are provided to regulate the quantity of airflowing through the aspirator passageway.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines l3 13 of FIG.12.

FIG. 14 is a side crosssectional view of a fifth modification of thebutton in which another means is provided to regulate the quantity ofair flowing through the aspirator passageway.

FIG. 15 is an end view of the dial taken along the lines 15- 15 of FIG.14.

FIG. 16 is an opposite end view of the dial taken along the lines l616of FIG. 14.

Similar reference characters refer to throughout the several views ofthe drawing.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, there is illustrated in FIG. 1a valve button 10 comprising this invention typically attached to anaerosol container 12.

As shown in more detail in the remaining figures, generally the valvebutton is preferably manufactured out of plastic and its casing includesa top 14 shaped to conform to a thumb ofa consumer to facilitatedepressing the valve button; an annular recess 16 provided at the baseof the button to make the valve button lighter and more economical toproduce by eliminating a portion of the needed plastic; and acylindrical valve stem well 18 provided to receive a standard orcustomary stem 20 of an aerosol valve.

An embodiment of the valve button illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4further includes a substantially cylindrical aspirator passageway 22having a rearward end in communication with the atmosphere at the backof the button, and a forward end extending forwardly of and surroundinga centrally located discharge orifice 24 in communication with valvestem 20 via a product-flow channel 26. Orifice 24 is disposed within ahousing 27 that extends into aspirator passageway 22. The orifice opensinto a conical-shaped configuration that assists in guiding the sprayproduct towards the forward opening of the aspirator passageway. Ifdesired, a removable annular insert 28 may be wedged into the rearwardopening of the aspirator passageway to modify the spray pattern andnoise produced by the button.

In operation, as is customary in aerosol containers, the valve button 10is depressed to cause the aerosol product to flow from the containerthrough its stem 20 and from there via channel 26 to the dischargeorifice 24 where it is sprayed outwardly. Spraying of the productproduces a Bernoulli effect that causes an airstream, or airflow, inaspirator passageway 22 from left to right as seen in the drawings. Forreasons which are not entirely understood, this airflow substantiallyreduces eddy currents and other turbulence which would otherwisenormally be present at the outlet of the discharge orifice 24. Inaddition, the moving air substantially eliminates the static air mass atthe outlet of the discharge orifice and assists in carrying the productoutwardly from the valve button. This reduction of turbulence andadditional carrying force facilitates product flow as well as causingbetter product distribution and breakup.

As a result, less propellant is needed to spray the product, andcontainer 12 may either be made smaller or contain a greater product topropellant ratio. Since the airstream through the passageway affectsboth the spray pattern and the similar parts noise of the valve button,both of these factors may be regulated easily either by varying thediameter of the passageway or correspondingly, by providing inserts 28with different diameter openings.

The valve button is particularly suitable for use with flammableproducts or products propelled by flammable propellants, such aspropane. Because the airstream has momentum which continues for a veryshort period even after the ignited product flow is cut off, thecustomary flame flashback often associated with an ignited product ofthis type is eliminated.

The aspirator passageway is modified in a second embodiment of the valvebutton, shown in FIGS. 5 through 7 so that the operator cannot mistakethe airflow passage in FIGS. 2 and 3 for the discharge orifice. In thisembodiment, the aspirator passageway is designated 30 and is incommunication with a casing opening 32 extending above the rearwardportion of recess 16. The aspirator passageway continues forwardly fromthis casing opening into a substantially cylindrical passageway 33leading to the forward edge of the valve button. As in the firstembodiment, the orifice 24 is disposed within housing 27 and iscentrally located with respect to the aspirator passageway.

The operation of the modified valve button and advantages engendered bythis operation are the same as described for the first embodiment. Asshown, the button and stem are integral.

A third embodiment is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. In this embodiment boththe product-flow channel and the aspirator passageway are modified. Theproduct-flow channel 34 extends upwardly from the valve stem well andenters tangentially to a cylindrical flow-chamber 36. Chamber 36 isenlarged at its forward end to receive an orifice insert 38 having adischarge orifice 40 with a conical-shaped entrance and exit as shown.The aspirator passageway 42 is in communication with the atmosphere by acasing opening 44 extending above recess 16 at the rear of the valvebutton, and from this opening, it extends forwardly within a housing 46whose forward end is centrally disposed within flow-chamber 36 adjacentthe discharge orifice 40.

When the valve button of this embodiment is depressed, the product iscaused to swirl by flowing tangentially to the cylindrical flow-chamber36 from the product-flow channel 34. This swirling action assists inbreaking up the product to produce a finer particle size which isparticularly beneficial when spraying such products as starch. As in theprevious embodiments, the product-flow through the discharge orificecreates an airstream in the aspirator passageway 42 by a Bernoullieffect. This airstream results in the same advantages as discussedpreviously for the above two embodiments. At the point of wear, whichproduces the breakup, it increases the turbulence and thereby increasesthe breakup. It reduces eddys and other turbulence just outside of thedischarge orifice and substantially eliminates the static air at theexit of the orifice. It also assists in carrying the sprayed productforwardly. All of this enables more efficient product-flow with betterproduct breakup and distribution. Moreover, as in the other embodiments,the spray pattern and noise of the spray product may be easilycontrolled by varying the configuration of the aspirator passageway; andthe button may be used with products which may accidentally be ignitedwhen sprayed, e.g., hair sprays, wherein the flowing airstream reducesthe hazard of a more dangerous flash-back" when the aerosol product iscut off.

In FIGS. 10 and 11, the button is modified with means for varying thespray pattern by moving the forward end of the aspirator passagewayrelative to the discharge orifice. As illustrated, the valve buttonincludes a cylindrical product chamber 50 communicating with a productchannel 52 and a discharge orifice 54 at the front face of the button.Received within the chamber 50 is the forward end 56 of a dial screw 58,threaded to the button as shown. An aspirator passageway 60, inalignment with orifice 54, extends through the screw. The forward end 56of the screw has a smaller diameter than the cylindrical chamber 50.When the screw is positioned as shown, an annular opening is providedbetween the wall of the chamber 50 and the wall of the screw for flow ofthe product from product channel 52 to the discharge orifice 54.

The operation of this button is similar to those previously described.As the product flows through the discharge orifice, it produces anairstream in the aspirator passageway. As also previously described, theair stream reduces eddy currents, turbulence, and static air at thedischarge orifice.

The additional advantage of this modification is that the spray patternof the spray product may be easily and accurately regulated by movingthe dial screw 58 inwardly or outwardly; thereby changing the distancebetween the forward end of the aspirator passageway and the dischargeorifice. Another significant advantage is that after the product issprayed, the aerosol contents may be sealed from the atmosphere byscrewing 58 inwardly until it abuts against the forward end wall of thebutton, adjacent discharge orifice 54.

In FIGS. 12 and 13, another modification is shown wherein the spraypattern of the button is varied by controlling the quantity of airflowing through the aspirator passageway. As illustrated, the valvebutton differs from the prior modification shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 byhaving a casing well 61 at the rear of the valve body and by directingthe aspirator passageways 60 into communication with this well. As bestseen in FIG. 13, the downwardly directed position 64 of the aspiratorpassageway is widened into a pie-shaped opening. The amount of airaspirated through passageway 62 is varied by regulating the expanse ofthe opening by rotating the dial screw 58. As should be easilyunderstood, the opening 64 has a maximum opening, when the dial ispositioned as shown in FIG. 13 and is completely closed after the dialscrew is rotated 180 when it is adjacent the body of the abutment.

Since the airstream to the passageway affects both the spray pattern andthe noise of the valve button, both of these factors may be regulatedeasily and quickly by rotation of the dial screw.

As in the previous modification, the aerosol contents may be isolatedfrom the atmosphere by merely screwing the dial screw inwardly until itabuts against the forward end wall of the button.

in FIGS. 14, 15 and 16, in an alternate construction, another means isshown for varying the spray pattern of the valve button by regulatingthe air flowing through the aspirator passageway. The generalconfiguration of the valve button of this construction is essentiallythe same as that shown in the embodiment of H05. 2 and 3. As will berecalled, in that embodiment a removable annular insert 28 is wedgedinto the rearward opening of the aspirator passageway to modify thespray pattern and noise produced by the button. In the instantconstruction, in lieu of this insert, an adjustable dial 70 is provided.It consists of two disclike elements: a first manually rotatable element72 and a narrower, second stationary element 74. The second element 74is wedged into a groove in the wall of the aspirator passageway asshown. The first element rotates relative to the second element by beingsecured thereto via an integral boss 76. Both elements are provided witha plurality of bores 78 which are adapted to move into and out ofalignment by rotating the hand manipulated first element 72. Thequantity of air passing through the aspirator passageway is controlledsimply by moving the bores into and out of alignment. I

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those madeapparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and,since certain changes may be made in the above construction withoutdeparting from the scope of the fall therebetween.

Now that the invention has been described,

What is claimed is:

1. A valve button for an aerosol container comprising a product-flowopening therethrough defined at one end by a port arranged forcommunication with an aerosol product and at the other end by adischarge orifice, said product-flow opening including a product-flowchannel leading into a product-flow chamber, said chamber being closedat its rearward end and open at the front face of said valve button,said discharge orifice disposed in the opening of the product-flowchamber and an aspirator passageway formed in said valve button, one endof said aspirator passageway formed in communication with the atmospherevia an opening extending from the base of said valve button, the otherend of said aspirator passageway arranged immediately behind saiddischarge orifice whereby product flowing from said discharge orificecauses an airstream to flow in said aspirator passageway.

2. A valve button for an aerosol container comprising a product-flowopening therethrough defined at one end by a port arranged forcommunication with an aerosol product and at the other end by adischarge orifice, and an aspirator passageway formed in said valvebutton, one end of said aspirator passageway formed in communicationwith the atmosphere the other end of said aspirator passageway arrangedadjacent to said discharge orifice whereby product flowing from saiddischarge orifice causes an airstream to flow in said aspiratorpassageway, said valve button including means to move said other end ofsaid aspirator passageway relative to said discharge orifice.

3. The valve button of claim 2 wherein said means is defined by a dialscrew in which the aspirator passageway is disposed, and which isthreadably engaged to the body of the button such that rotation of thescrew moves the other end of the aspirator passageway relative to thedischarge orifice.

4. A valve button for an aerosol container comprising a product-flowopening therethrough defined at one end by a port arranged forcommunication with an aerosol product and at the other end by adischarge orifice, and an aspirator passageway formed is said valvebutton, one end of said aspirator passageway formed in communicationwith the atmosphere, the other end of said aspirator passageway arrangedadjacent to said discharge orifice whereby product flowing from saiddischarge orifice causes an airstream to flow in said aspiratorpassageway, said valve button including a dial disposed in saidaspirator passageway, said dial having first and second elements withmeans to rotate the first element relative to the other, a plurality ofbores extending through said first and second elements for passage ofsaid airstream and said bores being opened or closed by rotation of saidfirst element relative to said second element.

5. The valve button of claim 1 wherein said discharge orifice isdisposed in a removable insert positioned within the forward portion ofsaid product-flow chamber.

6. The valve button of claim 3 wherein said dial screw is threadablyengaged with the body of said button such that the rotation of said dialscrew closes or opens said aspirator passageway.

1. A valve button for an aerosol container comprising a productflowopening therethrough defined at one end by a port arranged forcommunication with an aerosol product and at the other end by adischarge orifice, said product-flow opening including a product-flowchannel leading into a product-flow chamber, said chamber being closedat its rearward end and open at the front face of said valve button,said discharge orifice disposed in the opening of the product-flowchamber and an aspirator passageway formed in said valve button, one endof said aspirator passageway formed in communication with the atmospherevia an opening extending from the base of said valve button, the otherend of said aspirator passageway arranged immediately behind saiddischarge orifice whereby product flowing from said discharge orificecauses an airstream to flow in said aspirator passageway.
 2. A valvebutton for an aerosol container comprising a product-flow openingtherethrough defined at one end by a port arranged for communicationwith an aerosol product and at the other end by a discharge orifice, andan aspirator passageway formed in said valve button, one end of saidaspirator passageway formed in communication with the atmosphere theother end of said aspirator passageway arranged adjacent to saiddischarge orifice whereby product flowing from said discharge orificecauses an airstream to flow in said aspirator passageway, said valvebutton including means to move said other end of said aspiratorpassageway relative to said discharge orifice.
 3. The valve button ofclaim 2 wherein said means is defined by a dial screw in which theaspirator passageway is disposed, and which is threadably engaged to thebody of the button such that rotation of the screw moves the other endof the aspirator passageway relative to the discharge orifice.
 4. Avalve button for An aerosol container comprising a product-flow openingtherethrough defined at one end by a port arranged for communicationwith an aerosol product and at the other end by a discharge orifice, andan aspirator passageway formed in said valve button, one end of saidaspirator passageway formed in communication with the atmosphere, theother end of said aspirator passageway arranged adjacent to saiddischarge orifice whereby product flowing from said discharge orificecauses an airstream to flow in said aspirator passageway, said valvebutton including a dial disposed in said aspirator passageway, said dialhaving first and second elements with means to rotate the first elementrelative to the other, a plurality of bores extending through said firstand second elements for passage of said airstream, and said bores beingopened or closed by rotation of said first element relative to saidsecond element.
 5. The valve button of claim 1 wherein said dischargeorifice is disposed in a removable insert positioned within the forwardportion of said product-flow chamber.
 6. The valve button of claim 3wherein said dial screw is threadably engaged with the body of saidbutton such that the rotation of said dial screw closes or opens saidaspirator passageway.